Rainstorm

Spring weather in Spokane is C.R.A.Z.Y. Crazy I tell ya! Sunny one minute, storming like crazy the next, then back to sunny skies. The other night I let the kids sit out on my new wicker chairs (oh how I love them!) under the umbrella during the storm. Does allowing them to sit under a metal umbrella during a nasty storm qualifiy me for mother of the year?

SORRY, Mom.

The kids have been forcing , asking me nicely to play SORRY with them alot lately. As you can see from these pictures, Cole gets great pleasure from constantly sending all of my pawns back to start....
                                                      Again....

and again...

and AGAIN....

                                                                  and YES, AGAIN.

However, this little girl actually won 1st place....

followed by this guy...

  and guess who was last?

Cole was such a gracious 2nd place winner that he put together this little victory dance video. Enjoy.

WEIGH-IN

Well, after a crazy four days last weekend where I ate pretty much anything I wanted, didn't excercise and barely drank any water, I had gained 3 pounds. I got myself back on track and lost those plus another one, so I am officially down 1 pound since last weeks' weigh in. As I get closer to "Onederland" (under 200lbs), I get more excited. I honestly can't remember the last time I was there..maybe Jr. high? Wow. I have wasted so much of my life being fat, and I am done with that. Done.

This morning I have to go into work for a couple hours, and Gracie is coming with me to keep me company. Or maybe she's coming because she doesn't want to stand in the rain while watching Cole's soccer game. It's a toss up. Later today I am taking the kids to the greenhouse at Manito Park to look around. This will be fun, educational and will count towards an arrowpoint for Cole's cub scout uniform. I was planning on working in the yard today but it looks like yet another rainy day.

Last night our whole family was playing SORRY. I can't tell you how many games of SORRY I have played this week. Long story short, Gracie caught Daddy cheating and in typical drama-girl fashion promptly boxed up the game and took it away. It was very entertaining! She cracks me up.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Every day on my four day weekend I have set my alarm for 6am, so I could have a bit of quiet time before the kids get up. I love my early morning time with my music and coffee. Cole is usually up only a half hour behind me, and once Cole's up, EVERYONE's up. He's noisy. This morning I looked in on him and he had his big stuffed dog on top of his head, with his arm around it. So cute. Miss Gracie is in her not-so-graceful sleeping position which includes being sprawled out all over on her bed and snoring like a sailor. Adorable.

I'm blessed.

It's been a fantastic and very productive weekend. I was so far behind on everything around the house that it was really bothering me. Having the yard sale behind us is a tremendous relief. We still have alot of stuff in the basement to sort through, so I've decided to go down and bring up one box a day, decided what's garbage and what's a keeper. My goal is to get everything back into its place and properly sorted and organized. Yesterday I finally mowed for the first time this Spring. Today I will spend most of the day in the yard and preparing the garden area, then a bit of relaxation before ballet and a cub scout pack meeting. Tomorrow I head back to work. Boo.

My eating this weekend has been horrible. I barely drank water at all, and ate stuff I really shouldn't have.We bought a box of individual Sun Chips bags at Costco, thinking that it would be an easy way to keep track of my servings. I ate THREE bags in a half hour. Not a good strategy, although a yummy one. Curse you, Sun Chips.

 I'm not beating myself up over it, but I will be on my best behavior the rest of this week. Pinky swear.

Our yard sale was a huge success! I am SO glad it's over. I can't beleive how much stuff we got rid of. All of the big stuff is gone. I'd say we sold 80% of what we had out, and the rest I boxed up immediately and took to Goodwill. Such a relief! Now, our garage is clean, and our basement is much emptier. I sold 10 totes worth of baby/kid clothes. I kept one tote of special things for each of the kids. I don't know why I was holding on to everything, it took up so much space! We exceeded our $500.00 goal!! The kids are both buying new bikes with their money and we will buy the pool as a family. Paco and I will have to chip in a little extra but it will be well worth it!

I have cheated alot this weekend. Haven't written down what I'm eating or drank my water. It's unlike me not to get my water in, but for some reason I haven't. I'm back on track today! I'll be working in the yard most of the day so I'll get a little excercise. Looking forward to some time outside with the kiddos after church, and then a movie this evening!!

Hope everyone has a fantastic day!

THE FAM

COOL BLOG

I came across Amanda's blog today when I was looking for a tutorial to add some cool fonts to my blog. Turns out what I want to do is a total pain in the rear to do and I don't have time for it this morning. Sooooo, as I was browsing her blog I found that I love her decorating style and organization. Oh I LOVE organization, but with my family it's nearly impossible as they only work against me. Frustrating beyond belief!

Check out her whole site...it rocks! I have earmarked a bunch of ideas. Hopefully within 3-4 years we will be out of this house and into something that is more our style. Since we live next door to the kids' school, it makes sense to stay until they move on to Jr. High.  We had the opportunity to buy our current house 12 years ago at a great price, and it was a smart move for us at the time, but it's never really felt like MY home. We bought the house from my parents, and I had lived here for many years, but it's just not "me", ya know? The neighborhood has also deteriorated alot since 1998. We have a few areas in mind for our new house, with 2 areas of importance....a better-kept neighborhood and a completely updated house, with a yard that is as low-maintenance as possible. I would also prefer that we don't have any more pets at that time. Been there, done that. We'll see about that battle though, as I am the only one that's not an animal lover in the family!! I may lose that one! I would even be okay with a smaller house than this one, as long as it  feels not like a house where I'm stuck living, but my "home"!

The only possible change in plans would be if Paco gets offered a promotion with a transfer. We have already agreed we will go wherever he's needed. We always tell the kids that the most important thing is that we are all together, and very lucky to have a home to live in, no matter what!!

Anyway, this was not at all what I planned on blogging about, but now I'm out of time!

WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO?

AHHH...Mom's neverending "to-do" list. I took a vacation day today just to catch up on everything. Interested in the fascinating day of Denise? Here's today's list:

• breakfast for the kiddos, pack lunches, send them out the door to school
• make beds, clean up, etc
• meet my darling friend Amy at the gym for a butt-kicking
• pick up the Hungry girl cookbook I had reserved at the library
• drive all over town looking for green accessories, for the Greenacres vs. Liberty Lake staff basketball game tonight. Greenacres rocks! Did you know its the place to be?
• return 2012 to the video store. You know, the one I searched and searched for all last weekend...finally found and then never got to finish? Yeah, that one. Grr.
• print photos at kinkos
• come home. laundry, vaccuuming and dusting on the agenda
• pay bills, balance checkbook and organize kids' papers
• purchase junk food for Cole and his buddy Sean who is spending the night tomorrow
• watch the Biggest Loser before the kids get home from school. Yes, I actually have to put this on a to-do list. Maybe I'll get to watch last weeks episode too, but not likely!
• help kiddos with homework, eat a bite of dinner so I don't eat junk at the game tonight
• go to game, watch my little cheerleader and drummer perform at the game
• come home after we win the game, tuck in little people, get stuff ready for tomorrow
• collapse into a giant heap in bed

And, here I go!

RANDOM RANDOMNESS

Now that our big plans for church and a fun family day are dashed due to A) now my husband is working and B) the stomach flu has made an appearance, I am contemplating my NEW plans for today:

• sit around this morning and mope because my plans are ruined....CHECK.
• balance the neglected checkbook
• laundry. laundry. laundry.
• think of ways to get rid of the pesky neighbor kid who never goes away.
• play SORRY with Gracie
• catch up on Gilmore girls
• clean the master bathroom...yuck. not pretty.
• catch up (WAY up) on the kids' reading logs for school. I'm terrible about these. They're a pain.
• mope about our big family bike ride that isn't happening today....CHECK

In other tremendously thrilling news....check out the new shelving my hubby put in our pantry. I wish I had taken a before picture because for years we have had 2 shelves and had to stack stuff on top of each other to get it all in. I am SO into organization so this makes me happy!!

Yes, I am in such a low place today that I am posting pictures like this. Who knows what I will be doing by the end of the day...{GRIN}

THE ONE IN WHICH I DON'T HAVE ALOT TO SAY

Ahhhhh....the weekend. I was looking forward to it in particular because my husband was also going to have this weekend off, and it's a rare occassion when we get a day off together, due to work schedules. However, now he is having to go into work tomorrow, so I'm feeling a little blue about that. I feel a little sad for our kids, who always seem to be hanging out with just one of us at a time....although I know for them it's always been that way so it's their "normal". Sigh.

This morning, I'm enjoying a little coffee and the kids are already playing the wii. Paco is peacefully snoozing away. I may be playing racquetball with a girlfriend this morning, and Paco has plans to work out with a friend, then I'm going to a bridal shower.Paco and Cole are working on their Pinewood Derby cars for Scouts. Soooo...this evening is set aside for just the four of us. Gracie wants to play "SORRY". She's such a simple girl, I love it!

On the weight loss front, I've been very well behaved this week. I feel like I'm back in my groove, even though I'm trying to get used to my slow poke scale not moving down as fast as I'd like. The first 43 pounds or so went so fast...and now I know it will be a much longer road to get to my goal. I've had SO many people comment this week on my weight loss...which is very motivating! Funny, I still have a hard time seeing it when I look in the mirror.

On another note, I found several new items that I love! Look for a new post this evening!

BACK OFF!

I have had it with people coming to my door this week wanting to A) get me a better "mortgage interest rate", B) clean my carpets for "free" and C) to "share their message". I am THIS close to putting one of those tacky "no solicitor" signs on my door just to keep them away. Seriously, A) I HAVE an unbelievable interest rate, B) I have my own carpet cleaner, and C) I know their "message", and it's not the same one thats in MY bible. I have no interest in their version.

Now, don't get me wrong...I don't mind the food drives, boy / girl scouts, and school fundraisers. I'm happy to support these causes when I can. But regarding everyone else, I just really am sick of strangers infringing on me while I'm at home, enjoying the precious family time that we already don't get enough of.

There. Now I feel better!

BECAUSE

Tonight, I cannot blog....

because I've been working alot and my kiddos need my undivided attention.

because someone has to make dinner, pack lunches and oversee homework.

because the kitchen is a mess.

because I just ate one slice of jelly roll and now must burn it off.

because there is a never ending pile of neglected laundry, (AND a semi-unpacked suitcase from a weekend trip 2 weeks ago) growing in the bedroom. See?

Someone should really do something about that. And this is why I cannot blog tonight.

WEEKEND ESCAPE

Tomorrow morning we are headed out of town to Yakima for the long weekend. My sister is flying home so we can finally celebrate Christmas. I plan on relaxing, drinking wine and catching up with family. Check my tweets for updates! See ya next week!

JENGA

STOMACH FLU....TAKE 2 : UPDATED

UPDATE!
This day only gets better and better! At around 2:30 pm, it was apparent to me that Cole had an ear infection on top of the flu. I took him into the doctor, got 2 prescriptions and headed to the pharmacy. With my crying son in tow. He was miserable. Turns out the pharmacy is out of the medication. again. This is not the first time this has happened at this particular pharmacy. So, I drive to another pharmacy, who tell me that it will be a 45 minute wait. I switch off kids with Paco so that Cole can get home and into bed. I run to Fred Meyer for a couple things, at which point my debit card wouldn't work. I get that all figured out and go back to pick up the medicine. I spend 30 minutes there as they tried to decipher our double medical coverage policy, and whether my insurance or Paco's were responsible. This happens every time we try to fill a script for Cole. What the heck? I finally just told them to forget the insurance and that I would pay for the medicine just so I could get it to my kiddo. FINALLY.

Anyhoo, poor sick little guy has been asleep since 4pm, woken up once for ear drops, medicine and a sip of 7-up. This is certainly not how we were planning to spend Christmas break! Mom's hoping for a better day tomorrow!

----------------------------------------------------------

Apparently Cole picked up Gracie's stomach flu bug. All the fun started around 12:30am this morning, and went on all night. Cole is exhausted. I am exhausted. He's still in bed, which for those of you who know him will realize that is unheard of for him. He is an early riser. I feel so bad for my guy, especially since we were all looking forward to church today, lunch, and shopping afterward so they could spend their Christmas money. Instead, we will bundle up inside and get well.

First I need coffee. My head is killing me!

CHRISTMAS

Christmas morning started off with an unexpected (isn't it always) case of the stomach flu for Gracie. She was still able to enjoy opening her presents!! She was a very good girl this year and got the electric scooter she asked Santa for...Cole got his eye clops....which he was VERY excited about. As if you can't tell!Daddy got his ready wrench..... Grammy gave Cole and Gracie their new bibles....Cole playing Santa's helper in charge of handing out presents...Cole's first concert with his new keyboard from Jeremy and Lesley.....It was a great morning with family. The kids got lots of fun presents and had a wonderful time! Because of Gracie's flu, she and I spent the afternoon snuggled up at home while the boys spent more time with family. We missed the festivities but are so glad she is feeling better!!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones!

CHRISTMAS EVE

New Christmas eve pj's.....
being very silly and goofy....being even MORE silly and goofy....opening one gift on Christmas eve....putting out "reindeer food" for Santa's reindeer....and of course...the traditional milk and cookies...Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!